Germany Maritime Industry
Overview:
The German maritime industry is renowned internationally as one of the leading export markets of maritime products, technology & services, and one of the core industry sectors of Germany’s economy. In 2023, an estimated 2,800 companies provided up to 450,000 jobs and contributed roughly USD 93 billion in annual revenues. In 2022, about 60% of Germany’s traded goods were handled via maritime routes.
Germany’s modern shipbuilding and shipbuilding supply industry specializes in high-tech products and has a predominantly strong position in global competition. Germany is home to leading international shipping companies, especially in the field of container shipping, has an efficient port economy and logistics, innovative marine technology industry and renowned maritime scientific research & training institutions.
German Shipbuilding Industry
Germany is home to around 130 shipyards which provide services relevant to commercial, inland, recreational craft building, naval shipbuilding, and general repairs and conversions. In 2024, the shipbuilding industry boasts roughly 15,000 employees and generates annual revenues worth USD 6.17 billion.
Around 70% of the ships manufactured in Germany are delivered to foreign markets and roughly one third of annual revenues generated stem from naval orders (domestic & foreign). German shipyards are considered global leaders in specialty shipbuilding, including the construction of yachts and research vessels. Amongst the largest shipbuilders are Meyer Werft, Lürssen, Thyssen-Krupp-Marine-Systems, and German Naval Yards.
Maritime Industry Suppliers (Shipbuilding & Offshore)
The German shipbuilding and offshore supplier industry consist of around 400 mostly mid- sized companies. Around 63,000 employees generated sales of USD 11.2 billion euros in 2021. The German shipbuilding supply industry is not only represented near the German coastline in the North, but throughout Germany. In addition to maintaining the traditional sales markets, the German shipbuilding supply industry is increasingly targeting new sales regions, particularly in emerging markets. Traditional segments such as passenger and ferry shipping, military and government ships and other special ship markets remain priority segments for the German shipbuilding supply industry.
German Ports
Within the EU, there exist more than 1200 seaports with over 300 ports as part of the Trans European Transport Network. Of these, the European Commission lists 21 core and comprehensive German seaports, most notably Germany’s five major ports of Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Wilhelmshaven, Rostock, and Lübeck. Amongst these ports, the majority of Germany’s 266 shipping companies are based in northern German regions such as Hamburg, Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein, and Bremen. Through these ports, Germany has served as a major gateway between eastern European regions across the Atlantic. German ports directly support ca. 36,000 jobs (+124,000 indirect jobs in port-related logistics).
In 2023, Germany’s 21 seaports handled 267.8 million metric tons of goods of all kinds (-4.1%) and 12.7 million TEU (-8.5%). Germany’s largest seaport, Hamburg, handled 99.6 million tons of goods (-3.6%), followed by Bremen/Bremerhaven (39.2 million tons, -8.4%), Wilhelmshaven (29.8 million tons, -6.1%), and Rostock (23.9 million tons, +11.9%).
Germany further maintains 30 inland ports. By volume, the Port of Duisburg is the most significant German inland port (2023: handled ca. 41.54 million metric tons of goods). In 2023, 172 million metric tons were transported on inland waterways, down 5.9% from 2022.
Maritime Policy & Clean Transport
While maritime transport plays an essential role in the EU economy and is one of the most energy-efficient modes of transport, it is also a large and growing source of greenhouse gas emissions. Accordingly, one of the biggest challenges facing shipping is the transition to climate-neutral operations by 2050. To address these challenges, the European Union recently broadened the scope of the established Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) and incorporated maritime shipping starting in 2024.
Consequently, shipping companies will be required to compensate for their CO2 emissions within the EU and acquire emission rights. Accordingly, CO2 emissions from large ships (defined as a gross tonnage of >5000) will have to be capped regardless of national origin. Shipping companies will have to gradually surrender greater allowances for their emissions between the phase-in period between 2025 to 2027.
Opportunities exist for U.S. exporters for environmentally friendly products and technologies that help to use energy more efficiently and reduce operating costs. Digitization and the changes related to “Industry 4.0” are becoming increasingly important, will affect both future production possibilities and likely generate new maritime business areas. At the same time, the trend towards increased digitization present challenges also for the maritime industry, for example in the area of data management and data security.
Relevant Maritime Events (2025/2026)
• Boot Düsseldorf: 18-26 January 2025, Düsseldorf
• Seatrade Europe: 10-12 September 2025, Hamburg
• SMM Hamburg: 1-4 September 2026, Hamburg
• WindEnergy Hamburg: 22-25 September 2026, Hamburg
German Government & Associations Resources
• Association of the German Shipbuilding and Ocean Industry (VSM): www.vsm.de/en
• Mechanical Engineering Industry Association (VDMA) - Marine Equipment and Systems Division: www.vdma.org/marine-equipment-systems
• German Boat- and Shipbuilding Association (DBSV): www.dbsv.de/home
• German Shipowners’ Association (VDR): www.reederverband.de/en
• German Shipsuppliers Association (VDS): www.shipsuppliers.de/en/
• German Association of Seaport Operators (ZDS): www.zds-seehaefen.de/
• German Association for Marine Technology (GMT): www.maritime-technik.de/en-gb/home
ITA Resources
• U.S. Commercial Service in Germany
• Germany Business Service Providers
• U.S. Exporter Maritime Services
• U.S. Commercial Service Germany Contact
Your U.S. Commercial Service Contact:
Felix Happe
Commercial Specialist | U.S. Commercial Service
U.S. Consulate General Munich
Königinstraße 5
80539 München, Germany
Phone: +49-89-288-8752
E-Mail: Felix.Happe@trade.gov